It's really all right to spend some quality time with yourself
In constantly wired-up Singapore, having some time alone is almost elusive. We're surrounded by crowds every day that it's become an unquestioned part of our daily routine. But make the time to break away and spend some time with yourself every once in a while. Lucky for us, with the ongoing restrictions on social gatherings, spending time alone or in groups of twos is pretty much the norm these days. It might sound scary at first but solitude gives you an opportunity to think and reflect on your needs without any pressure or distraction. Here are some places to go in Singapore for that much-needed me-time.
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GO Woodlands Heritage Trail
Put on some walking shoes and head out to explore Singapore's heritage on foot. The latest National Heritage Board trail – Woodlands Heritage Trail – will get you acquainted with the town's cultural, military and natural history. Pick up one of the maps on Roots.gov.sg to get a curated route, which will bring you to temples, military administration blocks, nature parks and more.
GO The Projector
Go on a movie date with yourself at the coolest cinema in Singapore. The Projector has a comprehensive programme of independent and offbeat films, as well as regular festivals celebrating flicks from all around the world. No one's going to bat an eyelash at you catching a movie alone – we think it lends you a mysterious and artsy flair, anyway. And the best part is that they have a chill bar just outside the screening halls where you can grab a pint.
Books can compete with dogs as man's best friend any day. So, if you find yourself alone with time to kill, head to one of Singapore's many bookstores to pick up a new favourite read. Our favourites include Littered with Books and Basheer Graphic Books – though you can kill two birds with one stone at Epigram Coffee Bookshop, which is conveniently located within the excellent Singapore Art Museum. Here are more best bookstores to check out.
Sometimes, all you need in life is a cup of coffee, stable Wi-Fi, and some quiet. When you head out to a café for that, it comes with the bonus opportunity to people watch (it's fun, we promise). Whether you want to read a book or surf the Internet uninterrupted, these are the best quiet cafés in Singapore for some quality me time.
GO Monarchs & Milkweed Gelato
There's no need to feel sad about being alone, but if you need a perk-me-up anyway, head to a gelato shop for a sweet treat. Monarchs & Milkweed Gelato is a good spot if you're alone – it's accessible, but still tucked away on a quieter stretch in Kampong Gelam. There'll be couples canoodling about, but don't let that get you down and choose to fully enjoy flavours like burnt white chocolate and gianduja. Want to try other ice cream and gelato shops? Here are the best in town.
GO Offtrack
Enjoy live music without feeling the pressure to make conversation at Offtrack. The restobar at Boat Quay often has live DJs spinning diverse tunes. While you're enjoying that, dig into their delicious pan Asian dishes and cocktails too.
GO Wildflower Studio
Wildflower Studio combines two of the things that we love best: art and cats. Swing by alone for a painting session and hang out with some adorable, cat companions. Four adorable resident cats – Sundae, Saffron, Sesame and Soba – and the foster kittens are happy to lounge around and be your muse. You'll be doing a good thing for these cats too, as many of them are under the fostering programme (in partnership with cat rescue groups) to help the felines get socialised before they find their forever homes.
GO Palm Avenue Float Club
Imagine this – you, floating in a pod filled with warm, temperature-adjusted salt water (the salinity is said to mimic that of the Dead Sea) in the dark. It's said that just one session helps people sleep and think better. Treatments start at $90 for one-hour sessions and $110 for a longer 90-minute session.
GO Red Point Record Warehouse
Find more than 10,000 vintage vinyl at this hidden joint in Tai Seng. Red Point is known among music geeks for its varied selection – you’ll find records from ’50s Chinese divas and the golden age of rock ’n’ roll to contemporary indie and bygone Singaporean hits. There are listening stations around the store where you can sample the vinyl or listen to tracks.
GO Silk Tea Bar
Enjoy the art of Chinese tea-drinking alone. Away from the crowds, Silk Tea Bar offers a quiet escape where the subtleties of tea can be savoured. Owners Melody Teo and Xian Tan are dedicated to creating a space where people can get acquainted with – and appreciate – the flavours of loose leaf teas from China. From the ambience to the selection of teas, the whole experience can be quite relaxing and almost meditative. Sample more traditional teas like Dancong ($15), a partly oxidised oolong, is delightfully aromatic on both the nose and palate. Or try the caffeine-free chrysanthemum ($10), with whispers of sweetness, and an almost buttery finish. There's kueh and light snacks to complement the brews but tea is really the star at Silk Tea Bar.
GO The Learning Forest at Botanical Gardens
Slightly more rustic than the Botanical Gardens, the Learning Forest is an extension to the park that was designed to integrate with the existing 6-hectare rainforest, forming an enlarged forest habitat. But don't worry, you won't be getting lost here. Though the forest is sprawling, it is segmented into different areas like the bamboo garden, an arboretum of wild fruit trees, and wetland ecosystems for curious sorts to explore.
GO Fufu Pot
If you think hotpot is supposed to be a communal dining thing, think again. Fufu Pot is rethinking the way we should be enjoying hotpot dining. At Fufu, you only need one spoon to rule them all. Serving one-set individual pots, each set comes with the ingredients picked out for you that best complements the broth. Have any allergies? Just let the staff know and they'll be happy to substitute out anything. The best part is you get the whole pot to yourself and don't have to deal with pesky double-dippers or fussy eaters. The broth comes in many different flavours like Sichuan mala, collagen, tomato, stinky tofu, Korean Army Stew and Thai-inspired white curry.
GO A private gallery in Singapore
If you feel intimidated by big art museums and the crowds it attracts, switch it up and hit these private galleries instead for your dose of culture. Sure, we love our major art museums for the wide range of exhibitions one can find but expand your horizons and learn about contemporary art and emerging names in Singapore at your own time and space by exploring these private art galleries in town for underrated gems.
GO Seletar Fishing Village
On the outside, this hidden spot in Seletar might look like just shabby and abandoned village. Located near the popular cyclist spot Rower's Bay Park, Yishun Dam and Seletar Airport, you can find kampong huts and a wooden jetty (called Jenal Jetty) which is still being used by fishermen making a living. The 'village' part and Jenal Jetty is out of bounds to the public but you can get explore the breakwater next to it and the small beach area which appears only at low tide – and is probably the best place in Singapore to watch the sunset. Watch the ochre colours of the sunset dance on the reflection of the tide pools, take in the seabreeze as the skies change colours several times as the sun is setting.
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